What He's Done
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
I want you to imagine for a moment what it would be like to have to sit out in the parking lot for worship while everyone else you knew got to come inside. You would probably be offended that you were not allowed in. You might wonder what was going on that was so special that you didn’t get to come inside. You might have a lot of questions as to why certain people were allowed in but you were not.
This scenario was an everyday situation for Gentiles prior to the arrival of Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus establishes the church, but even in the new church there are problems that arise between Jew and Gentile. Under the old covenant, Gentiles were on the outside looking in. Under the new covenant in Christ, there is no Jew or Gentile anymore and that took some getting used to.
Tonight, we are going to take a closer look at what Christ has done for us.
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
1. Remember Your Past Separation (v.11-12)
1. Remember Your Past Separation (v.11-12)
You Were Cut Off (11)
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—
You Were Alienated from the Covenants of Promise (v.12)
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
You Had No Hope (v.12)
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
2. Remember What Christ Has Done (vv.13-18)
2. Remember What Christ Has Done (vv.13-18)
Christ Brought Us Near by His Blood (v.13)
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ Broke Down the Dividing Wall of Hostilities (v.14)
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
This is a reference to the physical wall that separated the court of the gentiles from the inner court of the Jews
Christ Created One New Man in Place of Two (v.15-16)
15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
We are no longer Jew or Gentile but a completely new creation
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Christ Brought Peace (v.17)
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
3. Remember What Christ is Doing (vv.18-22)
3. Remember What Christ is Doing (vv.18-22)
Christ is doing a new work, building a new house from the two
We Are Brought Into the Family of God (v.18-19)
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
We have access to God through the same Holy Spirit
We Have a House Built on a Solid Foundation (v.20-21)
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
The foundation is built on the teaching of the apostles and the prophets (OT and NT) with Christ being the key that holds it all together
We Are Indwelt By the Holy Spirit (v.22)
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
The point is that we grow together being indwelt by the Holy Spirit
